Woman shot dead on Dan Ryan, year after teen brother was killed

Video: Father talks about daughter's shooting

Pierre Curry talks about the shooting death of his daughter, Jasmine Curry, on the Dan Ryan Expressway early Wednesday, July 9 2014. Jasmine is the second child Curry has lost to gunfire. (Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune)

Pierre Curry talks about the shooting death of his daughter, Jasmine Curry, on the Dan Ryan Expressway early Wednesday, July 9 2014. Jasmine is the second child Curry has lost to gunfire. (Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune)

WGN-TV and staff report

Pierre Curry woke to a call telling him his 24-year-old daughter had been shot to death on the Dan Ryan Expressway, almost exactly a year since he lost his teen-aged son to gun violence just eight blocks away.

"I got to bury another child?" Curry asked as police combed through the blue Dodge van his daughter Jasmine was driving when she was shot near 55th Street Wednesday morning.

"She's got five kids. And I just found out today she was pregnant," Curry said. "I buried my last-born last year and now I have to bury my first-born."

State police got a call around 4 a.m. about shots fired on the expressway and found the 2005 van on the side of the road, according to State Police Capt. Luis Gutierrez. The found Jasmine Curry dead from a gunshot wound to the head and another passenger, a female, unhurt.

They learned from the passenger that a third person inside the van at the time had fled, Gutierrez said. He remained at large this morning.

Gutierrez said state police have a description of another car apparently involved and were reviewing surveillance video. "All we know is there were shots fired from the area of 55th and 59th streets," he said.

The captain said investigators do not believe the shooting was random. "We believe this may be an isolated incident."

Pierre Curry said he got the news from an uncle who called him.

"He said, 'Pierre, Jasmine has been shot.' I just got up and walked around the house," Curry said, pausing and shaking his head. "And I came down here and saw the van and I said, 'That her van. That's my daughter.' "

Curry said he believes the shooting is related to the killing of his 17-year-old Pierce Curry last August.

"I think she was targeted because her little brother was murdered last year in this area. My son, Pierce Curry, he was murdered last year. Aug. 27 last year. He was 17 years old," Curry said.

Pierce Curry was shot in the head around 1 a.m. while riding in a car in the 6200 block of South State Street, about eight blocks from where his sister was shot, according to police. The driver took Pierce to Saint Bernard's Hospital and Health Care Center, where he died.

"I really think -- my heart, my gut -- it was some gang-banging crap. I just know it," Pierre Curry said. They got to get these fools. They ain't got the fool who shot my son last year, I hope they find the fool who shot my daughter today."

Curry said his daughter had three sons and two daughters, ages 1 through 9. "She was sweet, a good daughter, a good mother," Curry said. "What am I going to tell my grandchildren?"

Curry said his daughter was just starting a new job today. "Now she's on the Day Ryan, gone."

Community activist Andrew Holmes said a $1,000 reward has been offered for any information. He urged people to call 800/883-5587.